I received an advanced reader’s digital copy of the novel “The Heroine of Auschwitz” written by Mark DeMeza from NetGalley. Thank you to Mr. DeMeza and NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this book prior to its publication. It’s the second book in The Rachael Kisch Trilogy, but it is the only volume I have read. It isn’t necessary to have read the first to read this one. It stands on its own. My opinions of this book are completely voluntary.

This story details a chilling exploration of the horrific actions and events that occurred in the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp primarily from the end of 1943 to the beginning of 1945, during which time approximately 600,000 to 750,000 prisoners ruthlessly and brutally were murdered. The worst of this occurred between May 14 and July 9, 1944 when 350,000 Hungarian Jews officially were gassed and incinerated in one of four Birkenau crematoria or five newly dug open pyres. This equates to 6,500 people killed every day, seven days a week.

The story is told through the compassionate eyes of two main characters who unexpectedly find each other and, though separated always by an electrified, barbed wire fence, fall in love, and manage to prop each other up and keep each other going during the most hellacious of circumstances. Mr. DeMeza’s writing is terrific and compelling, and the story held me captive from its first page to its last. I’m very much interested in reading the other books in this trilogy, even though I don’t think it detracts from the stories for not having yet done so.

This was an amazing book telling you what happened to the prisoners in 1943 going to Auschwitz.
A train carrying many Dutch was going to Auschwitz carrying among other Rachel and her brother
They did not know where they were going or what was going to,happen to,them there conditions on the train was terrible and they thought it would get better when they reached their destination.
Buf that was not to be. Conditions were hell.
Rachel and her brother were separated, Rachel was determined to survive and find her brother again.
While in the camp Rachel met Ludwig a polish farmer,and they struck up a friendship
.its difficult to explain this book but for the people in these camps it was the most horrific experience, and how some survived to tell the story of what happened to them must be what nightmares are made of.

Thank you NetGalley and Book Whisperer for the ARC. This book left me shocked and disgusted at how far human depravity is willing to go in order to cause pain. I also learned a couple of new things I had not known that would happen in this extermination camps. Mark DeMeza way of describing the conditions of the camps and torture makes your heart feel heavy with sadness. You could imagine the despair and fear of this people. It makes you wonder how any0ne could even possibly live a normal life after surviving such a ordeal. The POVs are nicely done, transitioning smoothly back and forth. I also love how Ludwig and Rachel kept each other alive by simply being there. unfortunately I didn't read the first book of the series . That being said I didn't feel lost in the book considering it is the 2nd book. So if you are into reading historical stories about war this is a good book to read. Recommend it!

I love this genre of book but in this instance I don’t feel as though I learned anything new, the narrative was similar to many other stories. The story of Rachel and Ludwig was heartwarming and I do feel as if there will be a follow on book as the story isn’t finished yet.

A heartbreaking WWII story. The author writes like I was actually there. Very well written. I recommend it.

It is sometimes hard to understand what these people went through. Have you ever asked yourself, after finishing a similar book, if you would have been able to keep your sanity and survive amid all the horrors proven at those camps? All through the story you hope they will survive until the Russians arrive, the strength in their character, the horrible decisions they had to make.
This is not an easy read, but a must read to remind us of what can happen when we see discrimination of race, sexual orientation, nationality, and religion.

I hadn't read the other book in this series but it didn't matter, although saying that I am going to go back and read it.
this book was very moving and well written and kept me engaged throughout.

blimey, these books never get easier. and i suppose they never should. but this book brought it to life with such vividness that tears often came and sat within my eye beds for a long while. and my emotions through its cause my stomach to tighten and my throat to feel tighter. because although yes this is a fiction story, you just know that what people went through were just like this and so so so much worse than we could ever begin to read amongst pages.
this story is often heart hurting and tragic. and you sometimes think can i read all this pain and evil. but you do, because you have to, we must never ignore it. and also because the author brings it to life in such a exquisite way that it makes us feel this way and so you carry on reading such a brilliantly told tale.
this book is the second to feature Rachel. in the first we are introduced to her and her family is it all begins to get dark for the Jews( well not at the beginning because sadly that was happening for a horrid while) . but in that book the whisper of what was coming and where it was taken them was become clear. this book they are there, they are in it, they are in the camp.
this book is like we are bearing witness to what they were all going through. how Rachel and her brother somehow survived but now will suffer something more. and its a fight they wish to fight together, because that would be at least some hope, right? because what comes next for them both is torture and having to see the most terrible side to human life and terrible side to human suffering.
this book is also a enormous reminder of the bravery and courage of the people trapped there. not just for those who did so in the very day to survive. but also the ones that went a step further to help others survive and thwart the enemy in any way they could.
its our duty to keep reading these books. to keep remembering is something we should feel lucky to do because those that suffered it need us to never forget. never look away. and always learn.

My thanks to Net Galley and the personal invitation I received from Book Whisperer to review this EXCELLENT read. This is absolutely a 5 star read.

Story is well written and constructed. Heavy read. Protagonists are Rachael Kisch and her brother Hannes who are separated at a concentration camp and try to find their way back to each other, and Ludwig Albin, a Pole getting a resistance together.

My only issue. I felt left hanging with Rachael and her brother.

Loved this book, kept going back to it highly recommended as a must read.
I read this one day as loved it so much I didnt want to put it down

Courage in the Shadows of Auschwitz

Powerful and deeply moving account of courage in the face of unimaginable horror. This book tells the true story of a woman who risked everything to save others during the Holocaust. Written with clarity and compassion, it offers a poignant reminder of the strength of the human spirit. A must-read for anyone interested in history, resilience, and heroism. Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

It was so sad to read the story or Rachael Kisch and what she and others endured in this tragic fictional story of those confined to a prisoner camp at Auschwitz. To read about her losses and those of others who suffered such horrible conditions to live and die in just brings tears to the reader's eyes.
The author brings the people to life with great detail and I'm looking forward to reading the first book and last book of this series. It was a great read as a stand-alone as well. Thank you Mark deMeza for a very touching story.

This is book 2 of 3 in The Rachael Kisch Trilogy. Written by Mark deMeza but can easily be read as a standalone.
It's an intense and heartbreaking book but one which I couldn't put down.
We must never forget.!

This book was spellbinding. I’ve read many, many Holocaust books but none as harrowing as this.. I enjoyed this book and it was more eye opening than all the other ones I’ve read. How anyone was able to survive those atrocities shows the spirit of survival and strength. The. Characters and situations were very believable. Anyone reading this book knows why “we can never forget”.

Moving, heavy, and enlightening. I did not realize this book was a part of a series but it did not prevent me from enjoying it and can be read as a standalone. As someone who has had beloved family members experience the horror of Nazi Concentration Camps, I have ready many books regarding this topic. After 10, 20 you can start to feel a bit jaded towards the topic - despite how horrific they all are. I did not feel that while reading this book.

The Heroine of Auschwitz book 2 of 3 in The Rachael Kisch Trilogy. Written by Mark deMeza. Shortlisted for the Hemingway 20th Century Wartime Novel Award. This was a very well written and very detailed book describing the horrors of life in Auschwitz. The author’s description of the daily mistreatment of many souls will make your heart ache. Our heroine Rachael, her younger brother Hannes, her friends Ludwig and Elke, and their endless acquaintances are just trying to make it out alive from an almost certain death. Who will survive, who will make it home to the Netherlands? This is a must read.that will leave you craving the third and final book of the Rachael Kisch Trilogy.

The Heroine of Auschwitz" by Mark DeMeza is a powerful and emotional novel that explores the human spirit's capacity for resilience and hope in the face of unimaginable suffering. The story follows a young woman's journey through the horrors of Auschwitz, where she finds strength in her faith and humanity amidst the darkness. With its vivid descriptions and poignant storytelling, this book sheds light on a lesser-known aspect of history, making it a compelling read for those interested in historical fiction and stories of survival. It's a testament to the human capacity for courage and kindness

My heart is breaking. My stomach is turning. I closed The Heroine of Auschwitz with a heavy-heart, saddened by what so many went through in World War Two. The author created a world that will remain in my thoughts. He made the story feel so real. I knew it would be a tragic story. I didn't know all the story would entail.

The Heroine of Auschwitz is the second book of Rachael Kisch's story. It begins with Rachael and her brother travel to Auschwitz in horrid conditions. It was thought things would be better when they climbed out of the cattle car.

How wrong they all were. Open this book and enjoy your freedom, thank those that sacrificed for your freedom, as Rachael andher fellow prisoners try to survive. Hurry and line up, only to wait for hours. Weakness was not acceptable and easly removed by the soldiers. The reader witnesses the goings-on within the concentration camp.

Rachael and brother were saved only to suffer later. She thought the would remain together. She through wrong. Rachael ended up working within the Kanada. She witnessed the lies, the thievery, bribery and more on a daily basis and so does the reader.

Through the author's words experience the horrors of Auschwitz and the treatment of prisoners. Witness the abuse administered by the SS and Kapo. By the time I closed the book I was in awe of those that were able to walk out the gates. Now to wait for book three to see what is in Rachael's future. Read the words of Mark DeMeza and remember. With every WW2 book we read, with every WW2 movie we watch we are reminded of the past. We must always remember and never repeat.

This book is a must read for everyone wanting to know about the horrors in Auschwitz Birkenau camps Most of this story I already knew and read about before and it still is heartbreaking every time. Would definitely recommend.

Could not out this book down what a story! Well told and descriptive and the storyline is heatbreaking, but gripping.
Always heartbreaking to read story's of this description but gives you such an insight as to the horrors and the lives these people had to endure and how they did what ever they could to survive.
Amazing book ten out of ten